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To reduce the incidence and prevalence of oral cancer, the Smokeless Tobacco Reduction Program will consist of a mass media campaign, public oral screening, and a week-long school health program for 350 students in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades in Willows, Glenn County, CA. Mass media will include radio, television, newspapers, posters, and literature. The program will use resources of the public health department and junior high school; it will also depend on 8 teachers and 25 peer leaders, all trained in the program. Reducing the use of smokeless tobacco is the program's objective. If that goal is achieved, the program will reduce oral cancers in the target population by 75 percent within 10 years. The incidence of leukoplakia will be reduced by 50 percent within 3 years of the end of the program. By the end of the program, 90 percent of the target population will be able to identify warning signs of oral cancer and leukoplakia, and 85 percent of the students will no longer believe that use of smokeless tobacco is less harmful than smoking. As a result of the program, use of smokeless tobacco will not be viewed favorably by 80 percent of the target population; usage will be regarded as socially unacceptable.

Public Health Reports